By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
The recently announced Victorian taxi reforms will address zoning issues in Greater Dandenong.
The reforms, the biggest in the Victorian taxi industry’s history, will address designated ’zones’ that have affected passengers and drivers throughout the south-east.
The zones will include Dandenong, Springvale, Berwick, Frankston and Noble Park.
State Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region Inga Peulich has welcomed the overhaul of the taxi industry.
“Taxis provide an important service for Melbourne’s south-east, ensuring local residents get to work, to the shopping centres and to services such as medical appointments,” Ms Peulich said.
“The reforms will mean a greater emphasis on customer service, with more taxis available in Melbourne’s south-east to ensure a sufficient system to cater to local needs.
“An improved taxi service for people with disabilities, often left waiting longer than the desired times for specialised taxis, will further benefit local residents that have no other alternative mode of transport.”
The new system will remove constraints on outer suburban drivers to allow a fleet of urban-zoned taxis to operate right across outer suburban Melbourne.
“The current zoning system means taxis are limited to their own area, which restricts the movement of taxis and ultimately leads to a lower service outcome for customers, as some drivers refuse to take fares across zones because they aren’t allowed to pick up a return fare,” Dr Napthine said.
Under the reforms, an overlapping boundary zone between the metropolitan and urban zones will allow drivers greater flexibility to pick up and drop off passengers.
“Our reforms will create a more flexible, responsive and innovative taxi industry that puts the customer first,” Dr Napthine said
